Fish vendors at Tanji Fish Landing Site in Kombo South District have decried the current scarcity of fish at the landing site due to what they alleged as a low catch experienced by the fishing vessels.
Following an investigation into the matter by this reporter, fish vendors have stated that the experience of fish shortage at the landing site has been in existence for more than a week. They pointed out that the situation has upped the price of fish.
Sira Bojang, described the situation as difficult. She added that the price on the fish per basket has increased from D1,500 to D1, 600 and D1,800. She said that also affects their businesses as most of the vendors go back home without any fish sales in the market due to the high prices.
“The shortage of fish in Tanji here has really given us a problem as vendors. We do not know what has caused the situation and this has also given us a problem with our customers,” she lamented.
Abubacarr Touray, a fisherman at Tanji Fish Landing Site suggested that the situation could be a result of a high number of fishing vessels around the area. He also pointed out that many fishes have nowadays disappeared due to perpetuating noise of the out- board motor machine of the vessels.
“The only problem that may cause fish shortage could be mainly due to high number of fishing vessels that are fishing daily in our waters and causing noise. What these fishes dislike is the continuous noise of machines of the vessels. So I think it is important that government regulates the number of vessels in our waters in order to save our fish stock,” he suggested.
Mam Jabang, a Fisheries official stationed at Tanjai Fish Landing Site said most of the fishing vessels fishing in our waters are non-Gambian vessels.
She it’s hard to control and know the number of vessels fishing in our waters.
Author: Yusupha Jobe
This story was first published in The Point Newspaper Wednesday, October 02, 2019- http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/tanji-fish-vendors-decry-shortage-of-fish-amid-low-catch
